title: Advanced physical assessment skills: implementation of a module.
abstract: This article aims to explore and examine advanced physical assessment skills and the role of the district nurse. It will particularly highlight district nurses' perceptions of how they may implement skills learnt on a new module introduced into the Community Health Care Nursing degree at a university in London. Physical assessment skills have traditionally been viewed as part of a doctor's role; however, with the advancement of nursing roles, it is argued that it has become a key nursing skill. As Government policy continues to expect health professionals to keep patients in the community who have complex health and social care needs, the role of the district nurse presents as 'best placed' to take on this challenge (Department of Health (DH), 2005a; 2005b). Evaluation of the district nurses' perceptions of their practice is shared here, highlighting some of the challenges that they face. The article will address the complexity of developing a curriculum in response to the DH initiatives and the importance of listening to students on courses.
authors.affiliation: Community Health Care Nursing, Faculty of Social and Health, Buckinghamshire, New University. Sharon.Aldridge-Bent@bucks.ac.uk
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aldridge-Bent
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000451:nursing*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016730:Program Development; D011637:Public Health Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D036301:Qualitative Research; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology